Emma May Watson

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 29th, 2025 at 8:41 am CDT

Emma May Watson, 99, of rural Lockridge, passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at her home.

 

May was born on September 19, 1926, in Henry County, the daughter of Archie W. and Pansey E. (Rudd) Haines. May was united in marriage to Albert John Douglas on March 3, 1945, in Iowa City.  After his death she married William L. “Bill” Watson on February 1, 1972, in Lockridge.  He preceded her in death on June 22, 2017.

 

May was known for her dancing and especially her calling of square dances.  May was a hardworking woman, helping alongside her husbands on the farm and was always there to help anyone who needed some extra help.  She was a great cook and enjoyed Bluegrass music.  Throughout her life she was able to travel and enjoyed trips to Canada.  May was a mother, grandmother and friend to many different people.   May was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and was a member of the Lockridge Baptist Church.  

 

Those thankful for sharing her life include her children, Richard (Mary) Douglas, Jacque (Randy) Riehm, Rhuie (Craig) Ryan, Sharon Krieger and Karen (Larry) Anderson, her beloved grandchildren, Amanda, Eric, Devon, Emma, Molly, Connor, Leslie, Megan Jason, Mickey, Samantha, Jim, and Lamont, along with several greatgrandchildren and great greatgrandchildren.


She was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Pansey Haines, her husbands, Albert Douglas and William Watson, her brothers and sisters, Edward A Haines, Ernest W. Haines, Lola E. Douglas and Violetta Haines.

 

A Celebration of May’s life will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lockridge Baptist Church with Words of Comfort by Jeff Murphy.  Burial will follow in the Lockridge Cemetery.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Every Step Hospice, Lockridge Baptist Church, Lockridge Cemetery or the Lockridge Fire and Rescue in her memory.

 

 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

 

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of May Watson.

Youth Heifer Program Offers Students a Hands-On Start in Cattle Raising

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 29th, 2025 at 7:59 am CDT

Community 1st Credit Union is inviting area students to apply for its Youth Heifer Program, a unique opportunity that helps seventh and eighth graders learn the responsibilities of raising cattle while gaining valuable financial and agricultural experience.

The program provides a five-year, zero-interest loan for up to five bred heifers, giving participants the chance to build a small herd of their own. Students track financial records, make herd management decisions, and set future goals, all while receiving mentorship and industry knowledge from experienced professionals.

Up to three applicants will be selected. Students entering seventh or eighth grade in fall 2025, who live and operate within the C1st field of membership, are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide written letters of recommendation, financial records, and a project plan that includes anticipated income and expenses for the first year. Parent or guardian consent is required.

The market value of the heifers will be established when the animals are delivered, and repayment will be made in five annual installments at zero percent interest.

Applications are due October 18, 2025. For more information or to apply, visit c1stcu.com/youthheifer OR call 866-360-5370.

Henry County Democrats Host Rob Sand Town Hall and Candidate Celebration Today

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 29th, 2025 at 7:59 am CDT

The Henry County Democrats are inviting the public to two special events in Mount Pleasant today, offering residents the chance to hear directly from candidates and connect with neighbors.

The day begins with a Town Hall featuring Rob Sand, Democratic candidate for governor, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut St. Sand will share his vision for Iowa’s future and take questions from voters in an open forum.

Following the town hall, the community is encouraged to head to Saunders Park’s Tri-T Shelter House for a Meet the Candidates Celebration from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. The evening gathering will feature live music by Checks and Balances, a special community award presentation, and a variety of food from Miss K’s and Double Click Catering. Local Democratic candidates will also be on hand to meet with attendees and discuss key issues ahead of the upcoming election.

Both events are free and open to the public, making it a perfect opportunity to bring friends, family, and neighbors to learn more about the candidates and their plans for Iowa.

Mount Pleasant Marching Band Earns 4th Place at Shirley Moran Festival

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 29th, 2025 at 7:58 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Panther Marching Band delivered a strong performance this past Saturday, September 27, at the Shirley Moran Marching Band Festival hosted by Linn-Mar High School. Competing in Class 3A against some of the state’s top programs, Mount Pleasant earned an impressive 77.8 total score, securing 4th place in a highly competitive field.

The Panthers performed at 10:00 a.m., showcasing precision in music execution and visual presentation. Their effort was reflected in standout scores, including 152 in Music General Effect, 75 in Color Guard, and 80 in Percussion.

Independence claimed the Class 3A title with a commanding 84.8, followed by Mount Vernon (82.9), Xavier (80.9), and Mount Pleasant rounding out the top four.

Saturday’s performance continues Mount Pleasant’s tradition of excellence in marching competition, highlighting the band’s hard work and dedication under the leadership of its directors and staff. The Panthers will now look ahead to their upcoming contests, building on the momentum gained from their strong showing at Linn-Mar. The marching band will compete in the Davis County invitational this weekend.

Your fine arts coverage is brought to you by: your dream home furniture and floors, 5 start community credit union, smith plumbing and heating, northeast animal hospital, and Kimzey funeral home.

Sports, September 29th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, September 29th, 2025 at 6:36 am CDT

High School Volleyball

The Southeast Iowa Super Conference (SEISC) tournament turned into a clinic for #2 Holy Trinity Catholic as the Crusaders did not drop a set on their path towards their second consecutive SEISC championship. Holy Trinity Catholic defeated Central Lee and Van Buren County to punch their ticket to the championship match. 

On the other side of the bracket, Burlington Notre Dame defeated Winfield-Mt. Union in straight sets to set up a semifinal showdown with Wapello. The Arrows won the first set 25-21, but the Nikes gutted out the final two sets 25-19 and 16-14 to meet the Crusaders in the finals.

Burlington Notre Dame kept it close, but the Crusaders were too much, sweeping the match 25-18 and 25-22. Adalyn Kruse had 33 kills, while Presley Myers tabbed 24 kills of her own for the Crusaders.

Wapello and Van Buren County competed for 3rd place and it was the Arrows who rallied back to win the final two sets over the Warriors (17-25, 25-19, 15-12) behind Mila Jordan’s eight kills and a block in the match. Jordan notched 28 kills and three blocks for the night, while Kate Lanz collected eight blocks. Van Buren County had Ashlynn Huff connect on 12 kills in the 3rd place match, while Sophia Jirak had 27 assists. 

Burlington Notre Dame will host a rematch against Holy Trinity Catholic on Thursday, October 2nd, at 7:30 pm.

Van Buren County will square off against Danville on Thursday at 7:30 pm at home. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Columbus on Thursday at 7:30 pm.

Wapello will head to Highland on Thursday at 7:30 pm. 

New London will host Mediapolis on Thursday at 7:30 pm.

West Burlington will square off against Central Lee on Thursday at 7:30 pm at home. 

Mt. Pleasant will get another chance at home tomorrow, September 30th, against Burlington at 7:15 pm. Panther head coach Alicia Schrader knows her team will have to be mentally strong heading into their matchup against the Grayhounds,

“Honestly, their skills are there. It’s, it’s mental, its mental games, it’s finishing, finishing all our drills during practice focusing so we don’t miss serves. We don’t make hitting errors when we don’t, when we need to hit them, keep the ball in play. So, it’s mental games. There’s confidence knowing that they got this, they can still do this.”

Fairfield will head back home to host Keokuk tomorrow at 7:15 pm.

High School Girls’ Tennis

Fairfield and Central DeWitt dueled for a spot in the state team tournament bracket over the weekend and after splitting the singles matches, the Sabers were able to win two of the three doubles matches to win the matchup 5-4.

Poojita Mukada, Ria Ross, and Faeven Gerremariam won their singles matches and the state bound squad of Ria Ross and Sriya Yammanur took their doubles match. 

Fairfield will be sending four Trojans to the Class 1A State Singles and Doubles tournament slated to start on Wednesday, October 1st, in Iowa City. 

High School Cross Country

New London, Notre Dame/West Burlington, and Winfield-Mt. Union will make the trip to Clear Creek Amana for an invitational tonight.

Mt. Pleasant and Danville will participate in the Williamsburg Invitational tomorrow, September 30th.

WACO and Fairfield will compete at the Washington Invitational tomorrow.

Van Buren County will celebrate their senior night at the Warrior Invite with New London, Central Lee, and Holy Trinity Catholic participating tomorrow.

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will clash with Fort Madison on Friday, October 3rd, at 7:30 pm on the road. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

Fairfield will travel to Washington on Friday at 7:30 pm.

West Burlington/Notre Dame will host Wilton at 7 pm on Friday. 

Central Lee will square off against Mid-Prairie at home at 7 pm on Friday. 

Mediapolis will take on West Liberty on Friday at 7 pm at home. 

Wapello will host Columbus on Friday at 7 pm.

WACO will attempt to get back in the win column on Friday at 7 pm in a home showdown against English Valleys. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to HLV/TC on Friday at 7 pm.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s soccer team fell to Iowa Lakes Community College over the weekend 3-1. Servane Veyrac netted the lone goal. The Blackhawks will take on Hawkeye Community College on Wednesday, October 1st, at home. 

The men’s soccer team defeated the Lakers 4-1 for their fifth consecutive victory. Joshua Barboza collected two goals in the winning effort. The Blackhawks will take on Hawkeye Community College on Wednesday, October 1st, at home. 

The volleyball team will host Southwest Community College tomorrow, September 30th, at 7 pm.

College Football

Iowa had #8 Indiana on the ropes but a late 49-yard touchdown pass by the Hoosiers downed the Hawkeyes 20-15. Mark Gronowski scored the lone touchdown of the game for Iowa. The Hawkeyes will get a bye week. 

#14 Iowa State walloped Arizona over the weekend 39-14. Carson Hansen found the endzone twice on 63 rushing yards, while Rocco Becht broke the plane three times before the end of the night. The Cyclones will take on Cincinnati on Saturday at 11 am on the road. 

This Day in Sports History

1946 – The St. Louis Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers finish with the same records, marking the first time the NL pennant ends in a tie.

1954 – Willie Mays races back to make his famous over-the-shoulder catch of Vic Wertz’s 460 foot drive during Game One of the World Series.

1969 – Steve O’Neal of the New York Jets kicks the longest NFL punt of 98 yards against the Denver Broncos.

Karl Messer

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 29th, 2025 at 5:47 am CDT

Karl Messer, 97, of Mount Pleasant died Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Park Place Elder Living. Funeral services are pending at the Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory.

Les Roth

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 29th, 2025 at 4:48 am CDT

Les Roth, 65, of rural Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 8:14 P.M. Friday September 26, 2025 at his home.

Born July 8, 1960 at Fort Madison, Iowa the son of Ivan L. And Elsie Irene(Morton) Roth.  On April 8,1989 at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton he married Lora Thompson.

Survivors include his wife Lora; Son: Brady (Emma) Roth; two daughters: Danika Roth and Sara Roth; Four grandchildren: Sophia, Bodhie, Lorelai and Greyson.  Two sisters:  Marjorie (Gary) Lightfoot and Miriam (Kurt) Freesmeier;  Mother-in-law: Florence Thompson. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, father -in-law Clyde Thompson and brother-in-law Rick Thompson.

Les was a devoted member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. After graduating from Central Lee High School in 1978, he worked at Mt. Hamill Elevator driving truck until 1983 when he worked alongside his parents owning and operating Town and Country Grocery Store in Donnellson. His first love was also farming, where he raised cattle and became a Dekalb Seed Dealer. Active in his community, Les served on the Lee County Fair Board, the Evangelical Cemetery Board, and was a member of the Lee County Cattleman’s Association. He and his wife, Lora, also opened their home as foster parents for 14 years. A loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan, Les enjoyed coaching his children’s softball, baseball, and basketball teams, as well as volunteering at the scorer’s table for HTC sporting events. In his free time, he loved playing cards, going to the Iowa State Fair, camping, kayaking, and most of all, spending time with his family—especially his grandchildren.

His body has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Friends may call after 12:00 P.M. Tuesday September 30, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., there will be  a Christian wake service at 6:30 P.M.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday October 1, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton with Fr. Dan Dorau as Celebrant.

Burial will be in the St. John’s Cemetery in Houghton.

Memorials may be made to Together We Rise (for Foster Children).

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Southeast Iowa Area Schools Show Support for Washington Teen Killed in Weekend Accident

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 29th, 2025 at 4:46 am CDT

Schools across the area are coming together today to honor the memory of Carson Ryan, a Washington High School senior who tragically passed away Sunday morning following a weekend accident. Students, staff, and community members are wearing orange and black, Washington’s school colors, to show their support for Ryan’s family, friends, and classmates during this difficult time.

The Washington Community School District announced Carson’s passing and shared that support services are available to students, including district counselors, the school nurse, the school support team, AEA staff, and trained counselors from neighboring schools.

In a statement, the district described Carson as “a truly kind, thoughtful, and caring presence”. He had recently been named to the school’s homecoming court, a reflection of the respect and admiration he earned among his peers.

As the community continues to grieve, Washington schools and neighboring districts are encouraging students and staff to lean on one another and to take advantage of the resources offered. KILJ will release additional details as they become available.